It’s day FOUR of my Better Than Basic Summer Style Guide! Today we’re covering dressy and formal looks – outfits for a wedding, fancy date nights or events, or even dressing up for church.
Welcome to Better Than Basics Summer Style Guide week!
Every day this week I’ve been sharing outfits for specific summer outings and events, and showing you outfit formulas or combinations or colors to try that are beyond the basic little black dress, or slacks and a button up for work, or leggings and a tee for mom life.
Today is DAY FOUR, and we’re ending on a dressy note. These are six summer dressy or formal outfits that can be worn for weddings, dressy bridal showers, fancy date night, a night on the town with the girls, or any other dressy occasion you might have this summer.
If you need even more outfits, MY OUTFIT GUIDE here on my website is a great resource. There, you can filter by occasion, dressiness level, and seasons to get hundreds of my past outfits to help inspire your wardrobe.
If you missed them, here are quick links to DAY ONE, DAY TWO, and DAY THREE of the Better than Basic Summer Style Guide.
Six Formal Summer Outfits To Copy
1. Sexy summer dress for a fancy date night
If you’re headed somewhere on vacation or to a fancy night out this summer, try a slinky dress in a bright summer color! This rich fuchsia color is bold and fun, and feels super dressy with gold heeled sandals, big gold earrings, and a few stacks of bracelets.
VICI COLLECTION DRESS (wearing size XS, sizing limited, SIMILAR OPTION HERE) | LULUS GOLD BLOCK HEEL SANDALS (similar options HERE and HERE) | CHUNKY GOLD HOOP EARRINGS | BUDHA GIRL BRACELETS | TURQUOISE AMAZON BRACELET | MIRANDA FRYE HINGE CUFF BRACELET
2. A white eyelet dress is perfect for a summer brunch or shower
If you’re heading to a summer brunch, tea party, or baby or bridal shower, a chic eyelet dress is perfect for this kind of event. It’s lightweight, flowy, and feels so summery.
Don’t forget to wear block heeled shoes or wedges if you’ll be outside…no one wants their stilettos stuck in the grass!
MERRICK WHITE COLLECTION EYELET DRESS (wearing size XS) | LULUS GOLD BLOCK HEEL SANDALS (similar options HERE and HERE) | TARGET PEARL DROP EARRINGS | BUDHA GIRL BRACELETS | MIRANDA FRYE HINGE CUFF BRACELET
3. Summer cocktail attire wedding
This dress is one of my favorites, and is such a chic and affordable option for a summer wedding. It comes in tons of colors and is so flattering and comfortable.
I paired with big dressy earrings and classic nude stilettos for a fancy look.
AMAZON LACE DRESS (wearing size small) | SIMILAR SPARKLY CLUTCH BAG | SIMILAR DOUBLE LINK GOLD EARRINGS | BUDHA GIRL BRACELETS | MIRANDA FRYE HINGE CUFF BRACELET | JAGGED LINK ANTHROPOLOGIE BRACELET | CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN HEELS (similar budget friendly version HERE)
4. Dressy date night or indoor theater
If you’re headed out to a broadway show or a dressy dinner but want to skip wearing a dress, a monochromatic skirt and top is perfect. I love this combination of the pleats and the lace — so feminine and unexpected!
ANTHROPOLOGIE CREAM CROCHETED FLUTTER SLEEVE TOP | SIMILAR PLEATED MIDI SKIRT | SIMILAR ANKLE STRAP BLOCK HEEL SANDALS | AMAZON RAFFIA DOUBLE BALL DROP EARRINGS | BUDHA GIRL BRACELETS | MIRANDA FRYE HINGE CUFF BRACELET | JAGGED LINK ANTHROPOLOGIE BRACELET
5. Baby or bridal shower outfit
This outfit is perfect for a baby or bridal shower, or if you’re going to dinner on vacation. I love this linen embroidered skirt and it would be gorgeous with a simple bodysuit, a button up shirt, or a dressier blouse, but I love it with this denim shirt.
ANTHROPOLOGIE DENIM SHIRT (wearing size XS) | FARM RIO LINEN SKIRT (wearing size XS) | SIMILAR CROSS FRONT BLOCK HEEL SANDALS | J.CREW WOVEN SQUARE BAG | J.CREW SHELL EARRINGS | BUDHA GIRL BRACELETS | MIRANDA FRYE HINGE CUFF BRACELET | JAGGED LINK ANTHROPOLOGIE BRACELET
6. Destination wedding
The moment I saw this dress, I knew it was perfect for a destination wedding! It would also be gorgeous for a night out on vacation if you’re wanting to get super fancy. I paired with heeled sandals, big earrings, and a fun bamboo bag.
BANANA REPUBLIC DRESS (wearing size XS) | BRADSHAW AND PALMER NUDE UNDERDRESS VIA AMAZON (wearing size XS, nude color currently out of stock, ANOTHER OPTION HERE) | LULUS GOLD BLOCK HEEL SANDALS (similar options HERE and HERE) | SIMILAR CIRCLE BAMBOO HANDBAG | J.CREW SHELL EARRINGS | BUDHA GIRL BRACELETS | MIRANDA FRYE HINGE CUFF BRACELET | JAGGED LINK ANTHROPOLOGIE BRACELET
I hope this helps you figure out the perfect outfit to wear this summer, no matter where you’re headed! If you missed them, here are quick links to DAY ONE, DAY TWO, and DAY THREE of the Better than Basic Summer Style Guide.
